Duarte: ‘Great Champion’ Ibrahimovic Very Important To Milan

AC Milan defender Leo Duarte is raring to resume competitive action when the Serie A restarts on June 20 after recovering from ankle problem, and he prays that Rossoneri’s talismanic forward Zlatan lbrahimovic also overcomes his injury to continue championing their resurgence.

At 38, Ibrahimovic has been very resourceful in his second stint at Milan, scoring four goals in all competitions before injury laid him off.

Duarte says that Milan need the inspirational presence of the big Sweden he calls champion when the Stefano Pioli’s men resume their fight for a great finish in the 2019/2020 campaign from their current seventh position.

“Ibra is a great champion, very competitive. He helps us a lot in training to stay focused and improve – it really makes a difference for our team,” Duarte told SkySport Italia.

“We hope he can recover soon because he is very important for us.”

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Brazilian centre-back Duarte who joined Milan from Flamengo in 2019 played only five games for his new club before his ankle surgery. Now he can’t wait resume action.

“Now I am fine, without pain and we hope to be stronger than before. I am ready, I am training with the group and I feel very good,” Duarte assured.

“I hope to play as many games as possible because I am physically well.
We want to finish the championship in the best way, playing for Milan and getting as many points as possible to get to the Europa League or, better yet, in the Champions League.”